BaronessGold & Grey

Gold & Greyends the colour cycle Baroness started with 2007's Red. In the last 12 years, the band have moved from being sludgy outsiders to standing at the forefront of heavy metal's cutting edge. Avoiding the grim outlook of many of their counterparts, Baroness have always sparkled with light and life. Gold & Grey shows them firing all of their creative cylinders, making it one of the best and boldest albums they have ever produced.

At 17 tracks, Gold & Grey doesn't skimp on length either. Heavier than Purple, more experimental than Blue or Red, it skirts the high bar Baroness set for themselves with 2012's Yellow & Green. Swampy distorted riffs dominate early numbers like "Front Toward Enemy" and "Seasons," before diving into old-school psychedelia on "I'd Do Anything," "Pale Sun" and "Assault on East Falls."

Gina Gleason's mark is heard on Gold & Grey's more technical tracks, giving the band the push they needed to jump into full-on prog territory. Mastodon covering King Crimson is a pretty strong reference point, but as "Cold-Blooded Angels" and "Borderlines" show, Baroness are truly a unique project. No label will comfortably fit them.

Baroness have outdone themselves with Gold & Grey. Armed with a fresh sound and well-honed talent, they are finally ready to be recognized as one of the most important bands in modern rock music. As the genre ages and keeps looking backwards for inspiration, forward-thinking groups like Baroness are becoming a vital commodity.
(Abraxan Hymns)